politics

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/25925641

A former senior Soviet KGB spy chief has claimed that Donald Trump was recruited as a spy by Russian intelligence as early as 38 years ago by his department, and given the codename ‘Krasnov’.

In an extraordinary post on Facebook on 20 February, Alnur Mussayev – who used to run the successor to the Soviet-era KGB in Kazakhstan – claimed that he was personally aware of Trump’s recruitment by the agency in 1987.

The recruitment, he said, was undertaken by his own KGB department. One of the key roles of that department was to acquire intelligence through business leaders in Western countries.

Summary

Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) abruptly canceled a CNN interview after facing intense backlash from constituents at a town hall over mass federal layoffs and spending freezes under Trump.

The cuts, pushed by White House adviser Elon Musk, have sparked public outrage.

On CNN’s The Lead, Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR) acknowledged similar criticism from voters and suggested congressional staff cuts could be considered.

Totally not an ominous or fucked up to say when blue states are absolutely recoiling in horror at the fucking disgrace of a president he is /s

Summary.

Laid off federal employees, furious constituents, and comparisons to the Tea Party era highlight Republicans’ week back home.

Republican lawmakers faced anger at town halls over Trump and Musk’s sweeping firings at agencies like the CDC, as well as potential Social Security cuts. Voters questioned layoffs at the CDC and National Nuclear Security Administration, while some GOP officials suggested AI could replace federal workers.

“We’re pissed!” one attendee shouted, amid demands for congressional oversight.

The White House insists it’s “a few critics,” but polls show rising unease. Republicans risk political fallout next midterm if they fail to tie cuts to economic relief.

Summary

A new memo from Trump’s 2024 pollster, Tony Fabrizio, warns that economic discontent in swing districts could hurt Republicans.

The poll finds that 59% of voters in 18 competitive House districts worry about their finances, and Democrats lead by five points in the generic ballot.

Voters overwhelmingly support extending Affordable Care Act subsidies and oppose corporate tax cuts, while Trump’s approval is slightly underwater.

The memo warns that prioritizing corporate tax cuts and Medicaid/food stamp reductions could be politically damaging, but Republicans are likely to ignore this advice.

Summary

Elon Musk, as head of DOGE, is cutting jobs at agencies regulating his businesses.

DOGE has fired FDA staff reviewing Neuralink trials and NHTSA employees overseeing Tesla’s safety. The Justice Department also dropped an immigration case against SpaceX.

Meanwhile, X’s legal team is allegedly pressuring advertisers, with concerns that the Trump administration could block a major industry merger.

Critics say Musk is using his government role to eliminate oversight and protect his financial interests.

Attorney, journalist, and Elon Musk biographer Seth Abramson eviscerated both Elon Musk and his “fanboys” who have attempted to use the billionaire’s IQ as an indication of his intellectual prowess in a series of messages shared on X Thursday evening and into Friday.

Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20250222150527/https://www.commondreams.org/news/michigan-tipped-minimum-wage

Summary

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner refused to sign a statement saying Donald Trump was not antisemitic, according to Michael Wolff’s new book “All or Nothing.”

The couple previously served as senior advisers but distanced themselves after the January 6 attack.

Wolff claims Trump sought their “Jewish cover” following his ambiguous stance on Israel post-October 7 Hamas attacks.

Kushner dodged repeated requests for a formal endorsement, eventually declining to label Trump as non-antisemitic.

Elon Musk’s team has descended on an already understaffed Social Security Administration, which now faces further workforce cuts and closures of vital local offices. The consequences could be significant for millions of the most vulnerable Americans.

Summary

Within hours of Maine Gov. Janet Mills publicly defying Donald Trump’s ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports, the U.S. Education Department launched a Title IX compliance probe targeting Maine’s transgender-inclusive policies.

Trump threatened to withhold federal funding if Maine did not comply. Mills firmly responded, “We’ll see you in court.”

She condemned the investigation as political retaliation and an unconstitutional use of federal power.

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey vowed to fight back.

LGBTQ+ advocates praised Mills for standing up for students, saying Trump’s bullying would be legally challenged.

Summary

Donald Trump fired Gen CQ Brown Jr, the Black chair of the joint chiefs of staff, continuing a purge of leaders supporting diversity in the military.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had insisted on ousting Brown due to his role in “woke” DEI programs, questioning Brown’s selection as possibly based on race.

Brown, praised for his achievements and role in deterring China, was replaced by Lt Gen Dan “Razin” Caine, bypassing statutory prerequisites.

The move signals sweeping Pentagon changes, including further high-level firings and a dramatic shift in America’s defense priorities.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/38388581

Simultaneous purging of the chief generals of all three branches.
They are ensuring the military has no cohesiveness to stage a future coup against the Executive Branch, and are replacing all control with their own loyalists.

Summary

The Supreme Court declined Donald Trump’s emergency request to immediately fire Hampton Dellinger, head of the Office of Special Counsel, while litigation continues.

Trump fired Dellinger on Feb. 7, but U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson temporarily reinstated him, citing legal protections requiring cause for removal.

The Justice Department argued that blocking the firing undermines presidential authority. The Court will reconsider the case after a Feb. 26 hearing.

The ruling marks the first Supreme Court response to Trump’s aggressive efforts to reshape government.

Summary

Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old DOGE staffer recently promoted to a senior adviser role in the State Department, is reportedly the grandson of former KGB spy Valery Martynov.

Martynov was executed in the Soviet Union after being exposed as an FBI informant. Coristine, an alleged former cybercriminal, previously worked in the General Services Administration and now has potential access to sensitive diplomatic data.

Concerns have been raised over his background and apparent lack of a security check.

The situation fuels fears about foreign influence in U.S. government operations.